Online controversy has been sparked by Senegalese-American singer Akon’s claims that he was instrumental in the emergence of Afrobeats, the widely acclaimed West African music style.
Many Nigerians disagree with the artist, who claims to have influenced the early Afrobeats scene through partnerships with Nigerian musicians.
The ‘Smack That’ star noted his work with Nigerian artists like Wizkid, PSquare, and D’banj in the late 2000s when reflecting on his role in the genre’s evolution in a recent interview with American talk show presenter and actress Sherri Shepherd.
While I was in Africa, time seemed to fly by. The ‘Freedom’ record, which was released in 2008, was my final official album, Akon recalled. After that, I worked as a music producer for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. I traveled to Nigeria from there. You see and hear what we produced in Nigeria as Afrobeats today.
“In 2008, we signed Wizkid as our first Nigerian artist,” he added. We go to Nigeria to collaborate with him and Banky W. We simply began cultivating artists like PSquare, Dbanj, and others after that.
Even though Akon’s comments were meant to show his support for African music, they quickly sparked criticism on Nigerian social media, where fans said that he was trying to change the history of the genre and exaggerated his importance.
“He needs to shut up 🤣🤣 Akon lies effortlessly just like Shaq!” is what @Loadedbrodah posted on X, the former name of Twitter.
“Akon just wants to rewrite the history of Afrobeats lol,” added @Ms_Fej.
User @paul_osigbemhe1 challenged Akon’s timeline and role, saying, “Akon did not open doors for Nigeria 🇳🇬 musics and he should stop seeing himself as the pioneer of Afrobeats. Way back in the 2000s — 2003, 04, 05 — Psquare, D’banj, and a host of others were already a formidable force in African music before I even knew Akon was from Senegal.”
Another critic, @Bisping_Chad, pointed out inconsistencies: “When Wizkid come out wey u sign am 2008. Akon Dey lie for dis one or maybe he missed the year. Psquare rejected the contract he was offering them.”
Others dismissed his claims entirely. “Anyone would be silly to take Akon serious,” wrote @KirkHammettR.
“Since man stopped making music, he’s settled for clout chasing, causing dramas in the African music scene and wearing Fugazzis. Afrobeats been banging before you came into the scene, local and international. You didn’t elevate no one.”
The distinction between “Afrobeat,” which was invented by Nigerian music icon Fela Kuti in the late 1960s, and “Afrobeats,” which was developed by Nigerian and West African pop artists in the 2000s and 2010s, was another crucial point raised by several users.
“This is big CAP,” said @Shirex_. “Afrobeat was pioneered by Fela Kuti… Akon, while influential in promoting African music through his productions and collaborations, did not create Afrobeat but contributed to its modern popularity.”
Afrobeats is still quite popular around the world in spite of the criticism.
With leading artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido playing at significant international events and topping international charts, the genre achieved unprecedented levels of international fame in 2023.
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